“Now, what periodicals are there in the whole wide world that will thus encourage, stimulate and arouse the colored people? Not one. I have not met with any English or American publication at all suited to their needs. It is a common remark of the people here, when asked to adopt some reform: ‘That will do for white people; but it is not for we.’ And if the British Workman, or any similar paper, is placed in their hands, it but intensifies this feeling. The contrast between themselves and white people is constantly before them. Week after week they will see pictures of pleasant homes and scenes in home life, and in every case these are connected with the home of the white man. If, by chance, some colored face is shown, it is as a curiosity, like a Modoc Indian, a Chinaman or a Zulu.
“What is urgently needed is something that will meet the needs of colored laborers, in periodical literature, as the needs of the white laboring classes are now met. I think that there should without delay be established in America some new periodical—or some periodical now established should be so modified in the manner of conducting it—that, pursuing the broad lines of humanity, would secure two things:
“1.—In the illustrations, the manhood of the colored man would receive recognition, and his home, his children, incidents of his life, would appear from time to time, in such way as to convey to all colored people a feeling of emulation, a hope and inspiration, stimulating them to achieve better things for themselves.
“2.—In the letter-press, care would be taken to avoid those figures of speech which carry with them an implied degradation of the colored people. To illustrate, what is ‘foul’ would not be made synonymous with what is ‘black.’”
There is certainly sound reason in the above suggestions, and it would seem that good results might follow the proposed plan. Just how it is to be done is the question. The paying constituency of such a paper would probably be too small to make it a matter of mere business enterprise. Perhaps to some one the good to be accomplished may seem large enough and direct enough to warrant the needed outlay of thought, time and capital.
ITEMS FROM THE FIELD.
Raleigh, N. C.—Great religious interest is reported throughout the city. Our little church is sharing in the great blessing—church members are being revived and others are inquiring the way of life.
Woodbridge, N. C.—During the last two weeks we have had a remarkable outpouring of the Spirit. On two afternoons we have had to suspend the school exercises on account of those weeping over their sins. Some little ones will not leave the house till they feel forgiven. Almost all are from the Band of Hope. The older ones look on in surprise at such a work among the children. Some have tried to stop their children from praying, but they could come to school and pray, or go out in the woods till they were converted, and then they couldn’t help it. We have a daily prayer-meeting in the school-house, in which all take part. Sometimes we have open meetings for the children. We have nightly revival meetings, in which the children are taking hold as far as it seems advisable.
Later.—One Saturday, four came to tell us of sins forgiven. Since then, for three weeks, almost every day has brought one or more, till about thirty have believed, and several others are anxious. Most of these are children; a few are pretty small. To-day some of them have been praying, all their spare time, that they may be able to hold out to the end.